Assistantships: A Special Note for Graduate Students
Since research universities began operating in the United States, graduate students have assisted professors by teaching undergraduate students. Teaching assistants (TAs) not only relieve their professor of some teaching responsibilities (often so that the professor can spend more time doing research); they also learn how to teach the subject matter of their own field of study. In many fields, the experience and training gained as a TA are viewed as necessary preparation for becoming a faculty member. TAs may be in charge of lab and discussion sections, or they may be required to grade the homework and exams given by the professor. In some cases, TAs may give lectures. The responsibilities of TAs vary considerably from institution to institution, department to department, and even year to year in a graduate student’s time as a student. For example, the TA may begin by grading papers, then take charge of a lab, and finally teach the class.
If you are given a research assistantship, you will be expected to assist a faculty member, or perhaps a group of faculty members, in performing research related to your field of study. You can expect to work about 20 hours per week at times when you are not taking classes. Many research assistants (RAs) work at night and on the weekends.
Before you receive an assistantship, some universities will require you to demonstrate that your spoken-English skills are adequate for teaching. One way to do that is by taking the Test of Spoken English, or TSE. Another way universities or departments determine oral proficiency is by calling candidates on the telephone. Some universities will ask a representative in your country to interview you. Be sure that you know which method you are expected to use to demonstrate your ability to communicate in English.
Even if your English proficiency is good, your university may require you to take an English test after you arrive on campus, even if you have already submitted evidence of your English ability. Some universities will require that you take a special course, workshop, or orientation program before you are allowed to teach.
[Who is your teacher][The TA's challenge]
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